Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was due to take the tragic flight that crashed in Cork killing six people but changed his plans at the last minute.

The Sinn Fein politician had hoped to fly from Belfast Airport to Cork - a journey he had made many times before - to campaign for the forthcoming elections but made different arrangements.

The light aircraft was making its third attempt at landing in heavy fog just before 10am yesterday when it struck the runway and catapulted into the air.

Questions: Investigators and fire crews this afternoon examine the wreckage of the plane that crashed killing six in Cork. Spain's flag can still be seen on the tail of the Spanish-owned craft

Rescue: Investigators and fire crews examine the wreckage of the plane on Thursday

Race against time: Emergency services battle to free passengers trapped inside the aircraft. Six were injured, two of whom were critical

Changes: Martin McGuinness considered taking the ill-fated flight but altered his plans

Moment later the plane flipped over in
mid-air before crashing onto its roof 1,000ft down the runway as flames
engulfed the front of the plane.

McGuinness has now revealed that he is a regular traveller of the route and had considered taking the flight.

He
was due to campaign in the wider Cork area in support of his party,
Sinn Fein, which is contesting the Republic's General Election.

But McGuinness changed his plans at the last minute and never took the flight.

'This is a route I have travelled on a number of occasions. In
fact, I am going to be in Munster tomorrow and I had contemplated
travelling on this flight, but that changed due to other circumstances,' he said yesterday.

'So
I am very conscious of the fact that this is a flight that is
frequented by people from the business community, people who have family
reasons to travel to Cork and indeed people who are involved in
tourism.

'Our hearts are
broken for those people who have lost loved ones in this incident and we
want to send our condolences and very deep sympathy on what is a very
tragic and traumatic time for themselves.'

Six
people were killed and six people were injured when the plane crashed.
Two passengers who were trapped inside the 18-seat aircraft remain in a
critical condition.

It is understood that the plane came down and burst into flames after it crashed scattering debris across the runway yesterday.

Authorities have not said if the pilot and crew, who were Spanish, survived. The casualties were rushed to Cork University Hospital for emergency treatment. The airport has since been closed.

Eyewitnesses are reported to have seen the plane held in a queue for 20 minutes before it made its third attempt to land.

The 19-year-old plane, a Metroliner
SW4 commuter aircraft, had set off from the George Best Belfast Airport
at 8.12 am before it tried to land twice.

Fog covered the airport as
the plane tried to land one way on the runway then tried the other
direction. It finally tried the original direction when it crashed.

Witnesses
said the plane struck the runway which catapulted it into the air. The
plane then spun over in the air before landing on its roof.

Debris: Crash investigators remove luggage from the mangled plane after all the casualties have been removed

Treatment: Fire-fighters treat a crash victim on grass next to the
runway. An emergency treatment tent was also put up after the crash

Tom
O'Sullivan from Cork County Council said: 'It was a light
aircraft with 12 people on board. There were two serious injuries and
two walking wounded. Emergency services are currently on the scene.'

A Cork County Council spokesman said that six people had been killed in the crash and six were injured.

Flight: The light aircraft carrying 12 people had made the 250-mile journey from George Best Belfast Airport to Cork before it crashed

Emergency services were still battling for up to two hours after the crash to free two of the survivors who were trapped inside the mangled plane.

Witnesses
said the plane struck the runway which catapulted it into the air. The
plane then spun over in the air before landing on its roof.

Tom
O'Sullivan from Cork County Council said: 'It was a light
aircraft with 12 people on board. There were two serious injuries and
two walking wounded. Emergency services are currently on the scene.'

A Cork County Council spokesman said that six people had been killed in the crash and six were injured.

Twelve ambulances were on standby at the runway to take any survivors to hospital as they are freed from the wreckage.

Hundreds of stunned passengers were inside the airport when the crash happened.

Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness spoke of their shock over the crash.

Mr Robinson said: 'This is a terrible tragedy and my thoughts are with the families of the bereaved.'My thoughts are also with the injured and I hope that they will make a full and speedy recovery.'

The deputy First Minister said: 'I am
shocked at this news and want to convey my condolences to the families,
friends and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in the plane
crash. My thoughts are also with those who have been injured.

Upside down: The plane hit the tarmac then flipped over in mid-air and landed on its roof on grass next to the runway

Disaster: Emergency service attend the scene earlier today. Six people died on the plane that was travelling from Belfast to Cork

'This is I think testimony to the unquestionable uncertainty of life. Families that start out either to do a day's business or to enjoy some pleasure have been thrust into circumstances that they could not have imagined.

'This is a route I have travelled on a number of occasions. In fact, I am going to be in Munster and I had contemplated travelling on this flight, but that changed due to other circumstances.

'So I am very conscious of the fact that this is a flight that is frequented by people from the business community, people who have family reasons to travel to Cork and indeed people who are involved in tourism.

'Our hearts are broken for those people who have lost loved ones in this incident and we want to send our condolences and very deep sympathy on what is a very tragic and traumatic time for themselves.'

Scene: Ten passengers and two crew were on board the turbo propeller aircraft that left George Best Belfast Airport at 8.12am

Bishop of Cork and Ross John Buckley arrived at the airport to offer support to relatives of the dead and injured.

'I came up here immediately. I
understand that there are some relatives here so I'm hoping to meet them
later on after this very sad event,' the cleric said. 'All we can offer
is our support, our help and our prayers at this time.'

Police and local authorities have appealed to people who believe they may have known people on the flight to stay away from the airport to avoid clogging nearby roads.

A statement released by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) confirmed the Manx2 Avia Flight No NM7100 with 10 passengers and two crew had crashed on its third attempt at landing.

The airport has been closed following the crash, which happened at around 10am, but the IAA statement said it could not confirm details of injuries or fatalities.

It said: 'The aircraft made an approach to Runway 17 in low vis conditions and went around and did not land and attempted a second landing on Runway 35.

'The aircraft then went around a second time and came back for an approach to Runway 17.

'There is a fire and debris has been scattered onto the runway and over a wide area.'

It added a investigation would be launched.

A spokesman said Cork Airport has been shut. 'There has been a crash, a Manx 2 airline, commuter plane. The emergency services are on the scene,' he said.

The plane was operating a service from George Best Belfast City Airport to Cork.

A spokesman for George Best Belfast City Airport said: 'We can confirm
that the Manx 2 aircraft was scheduled to leave Belfast City Airport en
route to Cork, flight number NM 7100.

'It left here at 0812 this morning
with 10 passengers and two crew on board. We understand there has been
an incident at Cork airport involving this aircraft.'

Fire crews and police from across the city and county were drafted in to support the rescue efforts.

The main road leading to the airport was closed to give emergency services quick access.

President Mary McAleese expressed her deep shock and sadness. A spokeswoman said: 'The President said her thoughts and prayers, and those of all the people of Ireland, are with the families of the deceased and the survivors at this very difficult time.'

Micheal Martin, Fianna Fail leader, extended his sympathies to the families of the dead and injured.

'My thoughts and prayers are with those who have sadly lost their lives or have incurred injury. I want also to commend the emergency services for their work and commitment.'

Manx2, a 'virtual airline' that operates as a booking service for flights, has been operating the Belfast City to Cork route since October 2010.

The airline was founded in the Isle of Man and carries 100,000 passengers a year.

It announced last September that it is expanding its presence in Northern Ireland, choosing George Best Belfast City Airport as its first permanent base outside the Isle of Man and launching the twice-daily service from Belfast to Cork.

The flight takes an hour and 10 minutes on a Metroliner regional commuter aircraft which, according to Belfast City Airport, provides a quality of service akin to the private charter experience.

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Cork airport plane crash: Martin McGuinness was to take flight that killed 6